Description: "In the first of a planned trilogy, Pullman has created a wholly developed universe, which is, as he states, much like our own but different in many ways a world in which humans are paired with animal 'daemons' that seem like alter egos, only with personalities of their own. The story begins at Jordan College in Oxford, where young Lyra Belacqua and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are being reared and educated by the Scholars. A lackluster student, Lyra possesses an inordinate curiosity and sense of adventure, which lead her into forbidden territory on the night her uncle, Lord Asriel, visits. He's there to solicit funds for a return journey to the distant arctic wastes, where he has observed and photographed strange goings-on, including a mysterious phenomenon called Dust that streams from the sky and a dim outline of a city suspended in the Aurora, or Northern Lights, that he suspects is part of an alternate universe. After he leaves, Lyra finds herself reluctantly placed in the charge of hte mysterious Mrs. Coulter and in possession of a rare compass-like device that can answer questions if she learns how to read it. Already shocked by the disappearance of her best friend, Lyra discovers Mrs. Coulter's connection with the dreaded children-stealing Gobblers and runs away, joining a group of gyptians bound for the North to rescue disappeared children. Lyra has also learned that her uncle is being held prisoner in the North, guarded by formidable armed bears. The break-neck-paced plot involves a secret scientific facility, where children are being severed from their daemons; warring factions; witch clans; an outcast armored bear, who bonds with Lyra; a balloonist; and more. It becomes evidentthat the future of the world and its inhabitants is in the hands of the ever more resilient and dedicated Lyra. This is a totally involving, intricately plotted fantasy that will leave readers clamoring for the sequels".

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